Better than average? When can we say that subsampling of items is better than statistical summary representations?
Myczek and Simons (2008) have described a computational model that subsamples a few items from a set with high accuracy, showing that this approach can do as well as, or better than, a model that captures statistical representations of the set. Although this is an intriguing existence proof, some caution should be taken before we consider their approach as a model for human behavior. In particular, I propose that such simulation-based research should be based on a more expanded range of phenomena and that it should include more accurate representations of errors in judgments.
Ariely
Dan
D
Duke University, 1 Towerview Road, Box 90120, Durham, NC 27708, USA. dandan@duke.edu
D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D011584:Psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*